Hiob 23

1 Na Hiob buaa sɛ,

Then Job answered,

2 “Ɛnnɛ mpo, mʼabooboodie mu da so yɛ den; ne nsa ayɛ den mʼapinisie nyinaa akyi.

"Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3 Sɛ menim baabi a mɛhunu no; anaasɛ mɛtumi akɔ ne tenaberɛ a,

Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.

4 anka mɛka mʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim na magye akyinnyeɛ bebree.

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Anka mɛte mmuaeɛ a ɔde bɛma me, na madwene deɛ ɔbɛka ho.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

6 Ɔde tumi a ɛso bɛtia me anaa? Dabi, ɔremmɔ me kwaadu.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

7 Ɛhɔ deɛ nnipa tenenee bɛtumi aka nʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim, na wɔbɛgye me afiri me ɔtemmufoɔ nsam afebɔɔ.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 “Nanso sɛ mekɔ apueeɛ fam a, ɔnni hɔ; sɛ mekɔ atɔeɛ fam nso a, menhunu no.

"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;

9 Sɛ ɔreyɛ adwuma wɔ atifi fam a, menhunu no; sɛ ɔdane ne ho kɔ anafoɔ fam a, mʼani nhye ne ho.

He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

10 Nanso, ɔnim ɛkwan a me nam soɔ; na sɛ ɔsɔ me hwɛ a, mɛfiri mu aba sɛ sikakɔkɔɔ.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.

11 Madi nʼanammɔn akyi pɛɛ; na manante nʼakwan so a mammane.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.

12 Mentwee me ho mfirii mmaransɛm a ɛfiri nʼanom ho, mama asɛm a ɛfiri nʼanom ho ahia me asene me daa aduane.

I haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 “Nanso ɔbiara nni hɔ ka ne ho, na hwan na ɔbɛtumi atia no? Ɔyɛ biribiara a ɔpɛ.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

14 Ɔhwɛ ma ne ɔhyɛ nsɛm tia me; ɔda so kora nhyehyɛeɛ a ɛte sei bebree.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

15 Ɛno enti na mebɔ hu wɔ nʼanim; na sɛ medwene yeinom nyinaa ho a, mesuro no.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 Onyankopɔn ama mʼakoma aboto; Otumfoɔ ama mabɔ huboa.

For God has made my heart faint. Shaddai has terrified me.

17 Nanso esum no mma menka mʼano ntom, esum kabii a ɛkata mʼanim no mpo.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.